Thai bill to restrict protest receives initial approval

Thailand’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill restricting political protests on February 26.

The
bill will impose restrictions on the time, place and nature of the
demonstrations, said Colonel Winthai Suvaree, Spokesman of the military
Government, stressing that the bill does not ban protesting but is to
ensure order in public gatherings.

The bill must be approved by
the National Legislative Assembly at the second and third meetings. If
the bill becomes law, it will proscribe protests outside courts,
parliament and the Prime Minister’s office, known as the Government
House.-VNA